Golf driving mat

ABSTRACT

A golf driving mat, including: a flexible member ( 21 ) over which a golf ball is in use located to be hit by a head of a golf club; and a cavity ( 23 ) containing a viscous material ( 25 ) disposed beneath the flexible member, wherein the viscous material is such as to slow the head of the golf club when the head of the golf club is hit into the flexible member, such a shot representing a “fat” shot.

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf driving mat and a golfdriving mat system incorporating the same. The golf driving mat and golfdriving mat system of the present invention are to be known as theTrueStrike™ golf driving mat and golf driving mat system.

[0002] Golf driving mats and golf driving mat systems are used at golfranges and golf tees, in particular during the Winter. The constructionof existing golf driving mats is, however, such that golfers can begiven an unrealistic impression of shots struck therefrom. With existinggolf driving mats, where a golfer hits a “clean” shot, that is, acorrect shot, the resulting shot is the same as would be achieved on anatural ground surface, but where a golfer hits a “fat” shot, that is,where the club head hits the ground behind the golf ball, typicallyabout 20 mm behind the golf ball, the resulting shot is often anapparently good shot, instead of what should be a poor shot, as the clubhead re-bounds from the surface of the mat and meets the golf ball at areasonable angle and at only a slightly reduced speed. On the naturalsurface of a golf course, where a golfer hits a “fat” shot, the clubhead digs into the ground, to a lesser or greater extent depending uponthe condition of the ground surface, causing the club head to be slowedconsiderably and thereby produce a poor shot. Thus, when a golfer hits a“fat” shot from existing golf driving mats, the resulting shot wouldoften appear to be a good shot, leading the golfer to believe that theswing is good, when, in fact, the swing is poor, as the same “fat” shoton a natural ground surface would produce a poor shot, with theconsequence that poor swing technique is developed.

[0003] Golf driving mats have been developed which provide a cushioningeffect, for example, as disclosed in GB-A-2315024, U.S. Pat. No.4,955,611 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,285, but these golf driving mats arestill not considered adequately to provide a true impression of thestrike of a golf ball from any given swing. It will also be noted thatgolf putting mats are known, one such mat being disclosed inDE-A-3926052.

[0004] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved golfdriving mat and golf driving mat system incorporating the same, inparticular utilizing a viscous material as an energy-absorbing medium,whereby a golfer is given a true impression of the strike of a golf ballfrom any given swing.

[0005] In one aspect the present invention provides a golf driving mat,including: a flexible member over which a golf ball is in use located tobe hit by a head of a golf club; and a cavity containing a viscousmaterial disposed beneath the flexible member, wherein the viscousmaterial is such as to slow the head of the golf club when the head ofthe golf club is hit into the flexible member.

[0006] Preferably, the flexible member is formed of a ruckable materialsuch that, when the head of the golf club is hit into the flexiblemember, the flexible member rucks up.

[0007] Preferably, the flexible member is formed of a resilientmaterial.

[0008] In one embodiment the flexible member is formed of a rubberisedmaterial.

[0009] In one embodiment the viscous material is a gel-like material.

[0010] Preferably, the gel-like material is a gel.

[0011] In another embodiment the viscous material is a syrup.

[0012] In a further embodiment the viscous material is a paste.

[0013] In yet another embodiment the viscous material is a particulatematerial.

[0014] In a yet further embodiment the viscous material comprises aparticulate material dispersed in a carrier medium.

[0015] In one embodiment the carrier medium is a viscous liquid.

[0016] Preferably, the viscous liquid is an oil.

[0017] In another embodiment the carrier medium is a gel.

[0018] Preferably, the particulate material comprises particles selectedfrom at least one of the group consisting of plastic particles, metalparticles and plastic-coated metal particles.

[0019] Preferably, the cavity has a depth of up to about 20 mm.

[0020] More preferably, the cavity has a depth of about 20 mm.

[0021] Preferably, the mat includes: a ball-receiving member locatedover the flexible member on which the golf ball is located.

[0022] More preferably, the ball-receiving member is removable.

[0023] In one embodiment the ball-receiving member is formed of aresilient material.

[0024] In another embodiment the ball-receiving member is formed of afabric material.

[0025] In one embodiment the ball-receiving member has a smooth surface.

[0026] In another embodiment the ball-receiving member has a non-smoothsurface.

[0027] Preferably, the ball-receiving member has a ribbed surface.

[0028] Preferably, the mat comprises: a receptacle including theflexible member at an upper surface thereof and defining the cavity.

[0029] Preferably, the mat further comprises: a body unit comprising amain body in which the receptacle is disposed.

[0030] In one embodiment the body unit further comprises a loadingmechanism for laterally inwardly loading the receptacle.

[0031] Preferably, the loading mechanism is adjustable such as to enableadjustment of the loading of the receptacle.

[0032] Preferably, the loading mechanism is configured to load a forwardregion of the receptacle in a direction of hitting.

[0033] Preferably, the mat further comprises: a ball-receiving unitcomprising the ball-receiving member, the ball-receiving unit beingattached to the main body of the body unit.

[0034] Preferably, the mat further comprises: a flattening mechanism forflattening the flexible member of the receptacle.

[0035] In one embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a smoothingunit comprising a smoothing element drivable over the flexible member toflatten the same, and a drive member for driving the smoothing element.

[0036] In one embodiment the smoothing element comprises a roller.

[0037] In another embodiment the smoothing element comprises a blade. Inanother embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a vibration unitfor vibrating the receptacle such as to cause the viscous material tosettle and thereby flatten the flexible member.

[0038] In a further embodiment the viscous material includes magneticparticles, and the flattening mechanism comprises a magnetic fieldgenerating unit which is operable to cause the viscous material tosettle and thereby flatten the flexible member.

[0039] In one embodiment the magnetic field generating unit is operativeduring hitting of the golf ball such as to magnetize the magneticparticles and aggregate the same to confer a required viscosity to theviscous material, with the viscous material having a composition whichis such that, in the absence of a magnetic field, the viscous materialsettles and thereby flattens the flexible member.

[0040] In another embodiment the magnetic field generating unit isoperable subsequent to hitting of the golf ball such as to magnetize themagnetic particles and cause the viscous material to settle and therebyflatten the flexible member.

[0041] In yet another embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises atensioning unit for laterally tensioning the receptacle and therebyflattening the flexible member.

[0042] In one embodiment the tensioning unit comprises first and secondspreader bars attached to respective sides of the receptacle, and aplurality of resilient elements for biasing the spreader bars outwardlysuch as to tension the receptacle.

[0043] In one embodiment the spreader bars extend over substantially afull height of the respective sides of the receptacle.

[0044] In another embodiment the spreader bars are attached to upperends of the respective sides of the receptacle.

[0045] In another embodiment the tensioning unit is operable by a golferto apply an increased tensioning force to the receptacle.

[0046] Preferably, the tensioning unit comprises first and secondspreader bars attached to respective sides of the receptacle, and abiasing element operable by the golfer to bias the spreader barsoutwardly such as to tension the receptacle.

[0047] In one embodiment the biasing element comprises a leaf springcoupled between the spreader bars.

[0048] In another aspect the present invention provides a golf drivingmat system, comprising: a base unit on which a golfer stands to hit agolf shot; and the above-described mat provided to the base unit.

[0049] In one embodiment the mat is removable.

[0050] In one embodiment the base unit includes a recess in which themat is in use located.

[0051] In another embodiment the base unit comprises a base includingfirst and second recesses in one of which the mat is in use locatedaccording to whether the golfer is a left-handed or right-handed golfer,and a sheet located on the base including an aperture through which themat is presented.

[0052] In another embodiment the mat is integrally formed with the baseunit.

[0053] The golf driving mat of the present invention provides a trueimpression of the strike of a golf ball by utilizing a viscous materialto effect the speed and position of the club head in the manner as wouldoccur if the shot were made on the natural surface of a golf course. Thegolf driving mat is configured such as to slow the club head through thegolf ball where the swing path of the club head is one which wouldproduce a “fat” shot.

[0054] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0055]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat systemincluding a golf driving mat in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0056]FIG. 2 illustrates the base of the base unit of the golf drivingmat of FIG. 1;

[0057]FIG. 3 illustrates the sheet of the base unit of the golf drivingmat of FIG. 1;

[0058]FIG. 4 illustrates a first exploded perspective view of the golfdriving mat of FIG. 1;

[0059]FIG. 5 illustrates a second exploded perspective view of the golfdriving mat of FIG. 1;

[0060]FIG. 6 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view throughthe golf driving mat of FIG. 1 where a golfer makes a “clean” strike ofa golf ball resting thereon;

[0061]FIG. 7 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view throughthe golf driving mat of FIG. 1 where a golfer makes a “fat” strike of agolf ball resting thereon;

[0062]FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,illustrated with the smoothing unit in the inoperative configuration;

[0063]FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the golf driving mat ofFIG. 8, with the smoothing unit in operation;

[0064]FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0066]FIG. 12 illustrates a first exploded perspective view of a golfdriving mat in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0067]FIG. 13 illustrates a second exploded perspective view of the golfdriving mat of FIG. 12;

[0068]FIG. 14 illustrates a first exploded perspective view of a golfdriving mat in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0069]FIG. 15 illustrates a second exploded perspective view of the golfdriving mat of FIG. 14.

[0070] FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate a golf driving mat system including agolf driving mat in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0071] The golf driving mat system comprises a base unit 1 on which agolfer stands to hit a golf shot, and a golf driving mat 3 which ismounted in the base unit 1 and from which golf balls are struck by agolfer.

[0072] The base unit 1 comprises a base 5 which is located on a groundsurface, and a sheet 7 which is located on the base 5 and on which agolfer stands to hit golf shots. In this embodiment the base 5 includesfirst and second mat recesses 9 a, 9 b located at respective sidesthereof in which the golf driving mat 3 is selectively disposed, and asheet recess 11 in which the sheet 7 is located, and the sheet 7includes a clearance aperture 15 through which the golf driving mat 3 ispresented, with the sheet 7 being locatable in the sheet recess 11 inone of two positions such that the clearance aperture 15 thereinoverlies one of the first and second mat recesses 9 a, 9 b. With thisconfiguration, the golf driving mat system can be easily configured forboth left-handed and right-handed golfers, with the golf driving mat 3being located in the first mat recess 9 a for use by a left-handedgolfer and the second mat recess 9 b for use by a right-handed golfer,and the sheet 7 being disposed such that the clearance aperture 15therein overlies the respective one of the first and second mat recesses9 a, 9 b.

[0073] The golf driving mat 3 comprises a body unit 17, a receptacle 19which is disposed within the body unit 17 and includes an upper,flexible member 21, a lower member 22 and a cavity 23, filled with aviscous material 25, therebetween, and an upper, ball-receiving unit 27disposed over the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19.

[0074] The body unit 17 comprises a main body 29 within which thereceptacle 19 is disposed, and a loading mechanism 31 for laterallyloading the receptacle 19, in this embodiment at the forward end in thedirection of hitting, such as to configure the receptacle 19 to simulatedifferent ground conditions, for example, from firm to heavy turfedground, and even sand bunkers.

[0075] The main body 29 includes first and second anchor pins 33 a, 33 bat one, the rear, end thereof in the direction of hitting to which thereceptacle 19 is fixed such as to prevent movement of the receptacle 19forwardly on hitting golf balls from the golf driving mat 3.

[0076] The main body 29 further includes an impact element 35 whichextends along the lower surface thereof in the direction of hitting,which impact element 35 acts to provide an impact surface such that,should a golfer hit down through the receptacle 19, the golf clubre-bounds from the impact element 35 without any significant jarring. Inthis embodiment the impact element 35 is formed of a rubberisedmaterial, preferably a rubber.

[0077] The loading mechanism 31 comprises first and second loading units37 a, 37 b, in this embodiment adjustable units for providing foradjustment of the loading, which are disposed to respective sides of themain body 29.

[0078] Each of the loading units 37 a, 37 b comprises a resilientelement 39 a, 39 b, in this embodiment a resilient strip, preferably ofspring steel, which is attached at the rearward end in the direction ofhitting to the main body 29 and includes a pin holder 41 a, 41 b at theforward end, an adjuster 43 a, 43 b which is slideable along therespective resilient element 39 a, 39 b such as to provide foradjustment of the inward deflection of the respective resilient element39 a, 39 b and hence the loading provided by the respective resilientelement 39 a, 39 b, and an anchor pin 45 a, 45 b which is located in thepin holder 41 a, 41 b of the respective resilient element 39 a, 39 b andattached to a respective one of the sides of the receptacle 19, in thisembodiment at a forward end of the receptacle 19.

[0079] The receptacle 19, in this embodiment an enclosed, flexible bag,is a planar rectangular member having a predetermined depth, in thisembodiment of about 20 mm, such that, where filled with viscous material25, the upper, flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19 simulates aground surface, typically a turfed ground surface. In this embodimentthe receptacle 19 is fabricated from a ruckable material, such that,when a golfer hits a “fat” shot, the flexible member 21 is rucked up,which rucking up, together with the action of the underlying viscousmaterial 25, causes the speed of the club head to be slowed in the samemanner as when hitting a “fat” shot on a turfed ground surface.

[0080] In one embodiment the receptacle 19 is formed of a syntheticmaterial, preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In another embodiment thereceptacle 19 can be formed of a rubberised material, preferably arubber, and more preferably a synthetic rubber. In a preferredembodiment the receptacle 19 is formed of a resilient material.

[0081] The receptacle 19 includes first and second rear apertures 47 a,47 b at the rear end thereof in which the anchor pins 33 a, 33 b on themain body 29 are located to fix the position of the receptacle 19 in themain body 29, and first and second forward apertures 49 a, 49 b at theforward end thereof in which the anchor pins 45 a, 45 b of the loadingunits 37 a, 37 b are located such as to fix the lateral and forwardpositions of the respective sides of the receptacle 19.

[0082] In this embodiment the viscous material 25 is a gel, for example,an aqueous gel. In one preferred embodiment the gel comprises apetroleum jelly. In an alternative embodiment the viscous material 25could be a syrup, such as a corn syrup. In another alternativeembodiment the viscous material 25 could be a paste. In a furtheralternative embodiment the viscous material 25 could comprise aparticulate material in a carrier medium, for example, a gel or an oil,such as a silicone oil. In yet another alternative embodiment theviscous material 25 could be a particulate material. Examples ofparticulate materials include plastic particles, metal particles andplastic-coated metal particles.

[0083] The ball-receiving unit 27 comprises a frame 51 which isremovably attached, in this embodiment by screws 54, to the main body 29of the body unit 17, and a ball-receiving member 53 which is attached tothe frame 51 and on which golf balls to be hit are located. In beingremovable, the ball-receiving unit 27 allows for replacement whendamaged, typically through wear.

[0084] In this embodiment the upper surface of the ball-receiving member53 is a smooth surface. In an alternative embodiment the upper surfaceof the ball-receiving member 53 can be a non-smooth surface, forexample, a roughened or ribbed surface.

[0085] In this embodiment the ball-receiving member 53 comprises aresilient material, typically a fabric material containing Lycra®, forexample Cordura® as available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company,Wilmington, US.

[0086] With this construction, when a golfer makes a good swing and hitsa golf ball with a “clean” strike, the golf driving mat 3 reacts in thesame manner as would a natural ground surface, as illustrated in FIG. 6.However, when a golfer makes a poor swing which is such as to cause theclub head to hit the ball-receiving member 53 of the ball-receiving unit27 behind the golf ball, and hence the flexible member 21 of thereceptacle 19, that is, hits the shot “fat”, the flexible member 21,under the reaction of the viscous material 25, acts to cause the clubhead to dig into the golf driving mat 3, which causes the club head tobe slowed down and make little or no contact with the golf ball, asillustrated in FIG. 7.

[0087] By altering the thickness of the flexible member 21 of thereceptacle 19 and the ball-receiving member 53 and the viscosity of theviscous material 25, the golf driving mat 3 can be configured tosimulate different ground conditions, from firm to heavy turfed ground,and even sand bunkers. In this embodiment, a golfer is able to selectbetween a plurality of different golf driving mats 3 which arerepresentative of different ground conditions.

[0088]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a golf driving mat in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification ofthe above-described first embodiment, and thus, in order to avoidunnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will bedescribed in detail, with like parts being designated by like referencesigns.

[0090] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that ofthe above-described first embodiment in comprising a flatteningmechanism for flattening the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor has found thatwhen golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularlyafter repeatedly hitting “at” golf shots in succession, the flexiblemember 21 of the receptacle 19 can be become so uneven as to prevent thepositioning of a golf ball thereon, and hence the proper operation ofthe golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the flexible member21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer havingmanually to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm ofthe hand.

[0091] In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a smoothingunit 59 which is actuatable by a golfer to flatten the flexible member21 of the receptacle 19 by acting on the ball-receiving member 53 of theball-receiving unit 27.

[0092] In this embodiment the smoothing unit 59 comprises a smoothingelement 61 which is driveable over the flexible member 21 of thereceptacle 19 to flatten the same, and a drive member 63 forreciprocally driving the smoothing element 61 over the ball-receivingmember 53 of the ball-receiving unit 27 and hence the flexible member21. FIG. 9 illustrates the smoothing element 61 where part driven acrossthe flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19. In this embodiment thesmoothing element 61 comprises a roller. In another embodiment thesmoothing element 61 could comprise a blade, such as a flexible wiperblade. In this embodiment the drive member 63 is electrically operated.

[0093]FIG. 10 illustrates a golf driving mat in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

[0094] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification ofthe above-described first embodiment, and thus, in order to avoidunnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will bedescribed in detail, with like parts being designated by like referencesigns.

[0095] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that ofthe above-described first embodiment in comprising a flatteningmechanism for flattening the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor has found thatwhen golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularlyafter repeatedly hitting “fat” golf shots in succession, the flexiblemember 21 of the receptacle 19 can be become so uneven as to prevent thepositioning of a golf ball thereon, and hence the proper operation ofthe golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the flexible member21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer havingmanually to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm ofthe hand.

[0096] In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a vibrationunit 65, here disposed beneath the main body 29 of the body unit 17,which is operable to vibrate the receptacle 19, and hence the filledviscous material 25, which vibration acts to cause the viscous material25 to settle and thereby flatten the flexible member 21 of thereceptacle 19.

[0097] In this embodiment the vibration unit 65 comprises a plurality ofultrasonic transducers which are attached to the main body 29 of thebody unit 17.

[0098]FIG. 11 illustrates a golf driving mat in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

[0099] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification ofthe above-described first embodiment, and thus, in order to avoidunnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will bedescribed in detail, with like parts being designated by like referencesigns.

[0100] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that ofthe above-described first embodiment in comprising a flatteningmechanism for flattening the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor has found thatwhen golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularlyafter repeatedly hitting “fat” golf shots in succession, the flexiblemember 21 of the receptacle 19 can be become so uneven as to prevent thepositioning of a golf ball thereon, and hence the proper operation ofthe golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the flexible member21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer havingmanually to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm ofthe hand.

[0101] In this embodiment the viscous material 25 includes magneticparticles, and the flattening mechanism comprises a magnetic fieldgenerating unit 67, here disposed to the main body 29 of the body unit17 beneath the lower member 22 of the receptacle 19, which is operableto attract the magnetic particles of the viscous material 25 towards thelower member 22 of the receptacle 19, which magnetization is utilized tocause the viscous material 25 to settle and thereby flatten the flexiblemember 21 of the receptacle 19. In one embodiment the magnetic particlescomprise metal particles. In another embodiment the magnetic particlescomprise plastic-coated metal particles. In preferred embodiments theparticles have a diameter of less than about 1 mm.

[0102] In one mode of operation, the magnetic field generating unit 67is operative during the hitting stroke such as to magnetize the magneticparticles and thereby effectively aggregate the magnetic particles toconfer the required viscosity to the viscous material 25, with thecomposition of the viscous material 25 being such that, in the absenceof a magnetic field, the viscous material 25 settles and therebyflattens the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19.

[0103] In another mode of operation, the magnetic field generating unit67 is operated subsequent to the hitting stroke such as to attract themagnetic particles of the viscous material 25 towards the lower member22 of the receptacle 19, which magnetization acts to cause the viscousmaterial 25 to settle and thereby flatten the flexible member 21 of thereceptacle 19.

[0104]FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a golf driving mat in accordance with afifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification ofthe above-described first embodiment, and thus, in order to avoidunnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will bedescribed in detail, with like parts being designated by like referencesigns.

[0106] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that ofthe above-described first embodiment in omitting the loading mechanism31, with the anchor pins 45 a, 45 b being provided to the other,forward, end of the main body 29 of the body unit 17, and in furthercomprising a flattening mechanism for flattening the flexible member 21of the receptacle 19 after hitting golf balls therefrom. The presentinventor has found that when golf balls are hit from the golf drivingmat 3, and particularly after repeatedly hitting “fat” golf shots insuccession, the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19 can be become souneven as to prevent the positioning of a golf ball thereon, and hencethe proper operation of the golf driving mat 3. Thus, means forflattening the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19 is required inorder to prevent a golfer having manually to flatten the flexible member21, typically with the palm of the hand.

[0107] In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises atensioning unit 69 for laterally tensioning the respective sides of thereceptacle 19 in opposed directions. In this embodiment the tensioningunit 69 comprises first and second spreader bars 71 a, 71 b which areattached to the respective sides of the receptacle 19, here oversubstantially the full height of the sides of the receptacle 19, and aplurality of resilient elements 73, here tension springs, for outwardlybiasing the respective sides of the receptacle 19. With thisconfiguration, the body of the receptacle 19, including the flexiblemember 21 of the receptacle 19, is tensioned by the tensioning unit 69such that, subsequent to the hitting of a “fat” shot from the golfdriving mat 3, which is such as to hit into the receptacle 19, thetensioning force acts to flatten the flexible member 21 of thereceptacle 19.

[0108] In an alternative embodiment the spreader bars 71 a, 71 b couldbe attached to points along the respective sides of the receptacle 19,typically to the upper ends of the respective sides or the mid-points ofthe respective sides. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a golf driving mat inaccordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification ofthe above-described first embodiment, and thus, in order to avoidunnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will bedescribed in detail, with like parts being designated by like referencesigns.

[0110] The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that ofthe above-described first embodiment in omitting the loading mechanism31, with the anchor pins 45 a, 45 b being provided to the other,forward, end of the main body 29 of the body unit 17, and in furthercomprising a flattening mechanism for flattening the flexible member 21of the receptacle 19 after hitting golf balls therefrom. The presentinventor has found that when golf balls are hit from the golf drivingmat 3, and particularly after repeatedly hitting “fat” golf shots insuccession, the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19 can be become souneven as to prevent the positioning of a golf ball thereon, and hencethe proper operation of the golf driving mat 3. Thus, means forflattening the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19 is required inorder to prevent a golfer having manually to flatten the flexible member21, typically with the palm of the hand.

[0111] In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises atensioning unit 75 for laterally tensioning the respective sides of thereceptacle 19 in opposed directions with a flattening force on actuationby a golfer. In this embodiment the tensioning unit 75 comprises firstand second spreader bars 77 a, 77 b which are attached to the respectivesides of the receptacle 19, here over substantially the full height ofthe sides of the receptacle 19, and hinged at one, the rearward, endabout a pivot 79, and a biasing element 81, in this embodiment a leafspring, for normally outwardly biasing the first and second spreaderbars 77 a, 77 b, and hence the respective sides of the receptacle 19,with a first tensioning force, and being operable by a golfer, in thisembodiment manually by the golfer stepping thereon, to apply a second,higher tensioning force, as a flattening force, to the receptacle 19.With this configuration, the body of the receptacle 19, including theflexible member 21 of the receptacle 19, is normally under the lighttension of the first tensioning force, and, on a golfer manuallyoperating the biasing element 81, in this embodiment by steppingthereon, the biasing element 81 applies the higher, second tensioningforce to the spreader bars 77 a, 77 b which is such as flatten theflexible member 21 of the receptacle 19. On the golfer releasing thebiasing element 81, in this embodiment by stepping thereoff, the biasingelement 81 returns to applying the light, first tensioning force to thereceptacle 19.

[0112] In an alternative embodiment the spreader bars 77 a, 77 b couldbe attached to points along the respective sides of the receptacle 19,typically to the upper ends of the respective sides or the mid-points ofthe respective sides.

[0113] Finally, it will be understood that the present invention hasbeen described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in manydifferent ways without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A golf driving mat, including: a flexible member formed of a ruckablematerial over which a golf ball is in use located to be hit by a head ofa golf club; and a cavity containing a viscous material disposed beneaththe flexible member, the viscious material being such as to act upon thehead of the golf club when the head of the golf club is hit into theflexible member, wherein, when the head of the golf club is hit into theflexible member, the flexible member is sucked up forward of the head ofthe golf club, which rucking up, together with the action of the viscousmaterial, causes the head of the golf club to be slowed.
 2. The mat ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible member is formed of a resilient material.3. The mat of claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible member is formed of arubberised material.
 4. The mat of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein theviscous material is a gel-like material.
 5. The mat of claim 4, whereinthe gel-like material is a gel.
 6. The mat of any of claims 1 to 3,wherein the viscous material is a syrup.
 7. The mat of any of claims 1to 3, wherein the viscous material is a paste.
 8. The mat of any ofclaims 1 to 3, wherein the viscous material is a particulate material.9. The mat of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the viscous materialcomprises a particulate material dispersed in a carrier medium.
 10. Themat of claim 9, wherein the carrier medium is a viscous liquid.
 11. Themat of claim 10, wherein the viscous liquid is an oil.
 12. The mat ofclaim 9, wherein the carrier medium is a gel.
 13. The mat of claims 8 to12, wherein the particulate material comprises particles selected fromat least one of the group consisting of plastic particles, metalparticles and plastic-coated metal particles.
 14. The mat of any claims1 to 13, wherein the cavity has a depth of up to about 20 mm.
 15. Themat of any claims 1 to 13, wherein the cavity has a depth of about 20mm.
 16. The mat of any claims 1 to 15, including: a ball-receivingmember located over the flexible member on which the golf ball islocated.
 17. The mat of claim 1, wherein the ball-receiving member isremovable.
 18. The mat of claim 16 or 17, wherein the ball-receivingmember is formed of a resilient material.
 19. The mat of any of claims16 to 18, wherein the ball-receiving member is formed of a fabricmaterial.
 20. The mat of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein theball-receiving member has a smooth surface.
 21. The mat of any of claims16 to 19, wherein the ball-receiving member has a non-smooth surface.22. The mat of claim 21, wherein the ball-receiving member has a ribbedsurface.
 23. The mat of any of claims 1 to 22, comprising: a receptacleincluding the flexible member at an upper surface thereof and definingthe cavity.
 24. The mat of claim 23, further comprising: a body unitcomprising a main body in which the receptacle is disposed.
 25. The matof claim 24, wherein the body unit further comprises a loading mechanismfor laterally inwardly loading the receptacle.
 26. The mat of claim 25,wherein the loading mechanism is adjustable such as to enable adjustmentof the loading of the receptacle.
 27. The mat of claim 25 or 26, whereinthe loading mechanism is configured to load a forward region of thereceptacle in a direction of hitting.
 28. The mat of any of claims 23 to27 when appendant upon any of claims 16 to 22, further comprising: aball-receiving unit comprising the ball-receiving member, theball-receiving unit being attached to the main body of the body unit.29. The mat of any if claims 23 to 28, further comprising: a flatteningmechanism for flattening the flexible member of the receptacle.
 30. Themat of claim 29, wherein the flattening mechanism comprises a smoothingunit comprising a smoothing element drivable over the flexible member ofthe receptacle to flatten the same, and a drive member for driving thesmoothing element.
 31. The mat of claim 30, wherein the smoothingelement comprises a roller.
 32. The mat of claim 30, wherein thesmoothing element comprises a blade.
 33. The mat of claim 29, whereinthe flattening mechanism comprises a vibration unit for vibrating thereceptacle such as to cause the viscous material to settle and therebyflatten the flexible member.
 34. The mat of claim 29, wherein theviscous material includes magnetic particles, and the flatteningmechanism comprises a magnetic field generating unit which is operableto cause the viscous material to settle and thereby flatten the flexiblemember.
 35. The mat of claim 34, wherein the magnetic field generatingunit is operative during hitting of the golf ball such as to magnetizethe magnetic particles and aggregate the same to confer a requiredviscosity material, with the viscous material having a composition whichis such that, in the absence of a magnetic field, the viscous materialsettles and thereby flattens the flexible member.
 36. The mat of claim34, wherein the magnetic field generating unit is operable subsequent tohitting of the golf ball such as to magnetize the magnetic particles andcause the viscous material to settle and thereby flatten the flexiblemember.
 37. The mat of claim 29, wherein the flattening mechanismcomprises a tensioning unit for laterally tensioning the receptacle andthereby flattening the flexible member.
 38. The mat of claim 37, whereinthe tensioning unit comprises first and second spreader bars attached torespective sides of the receptacle, and a plurality of resilientelements for biasing the spreader bars outwardly such as to tension thereceptacle.
 39. The mat of claim 38, wherein the spreader bars extendover substantially a full height of the respective sides of thereceptacle.
 40. The mat of claim 38, wherein the spreader bars areattached to upper ends of the respective sides of the receptacle. 41.The mat of claim 37, wherein the tensioning unit is operable by a golferto apply an increased tensioning force to the receptacle.
 42. The mat ofclaim 41, wherein the tensioning unit comprises first and secondspreader bars attached to respective sides of the receptacle, and abiasing element operable by the golfer to bias the spreader barsoutwardly such as to tension the receptacle.
 43. The mat of claim 42,wherein the biasing element comprises a leaf spring coupled between thespreader bars.
 44. A golf driving mat system, comprising: a base unit onwhich a golfer stands to hit a golf shot; and the mat of any claims 1 to43 provided to the base unit.
 45. The mat system of claim 44, whereinthe mat is removable.
 46. The mat system of claim 45, wherein the baseunit includes a recess in which the mat is in use located.
 47. The matsystem of claim 45, wherein the base unit comprises base including firstand second recesses in one of which the mat is in use located accordingto whether the golfer is a left-handed or right-handed golfer, and asheet located on the base including an aperture through which the mat ispresented.
 48. The mat system of claim 44, wherein the mat is integrallyformed with the base unit.